Thad Matta's dad describes the bumpy road to the Final Four

You might have seen the name in your Sun City resident directory, but not have made the connection – even though it’s not a very popular last night. But Jim Matta has a popular last name right now, as his son, Thad, is coaching this weekend in the Final Four. Jim’s been there every step of the way, through all four rounds in two different cities watching all the nail-biters the Buckeyes have weathered. Here are his dispatches from the road:

CLOSE CALL IN KENTUCKY

After a first-round 78-57 laugher against minnow Central Connecticut State on March 15, the Buckeyes were on the ropes two days later against Xavier, trailing by 9 points with 2:54 minutes remaining in regulation. After closing to within 61-59 with 11 seconds left, Xavier star Justin Cage stepped to the line for two shots. If he makes both, Ohio State’s season is history.

Cage converted the first, but missed the second. The rebound went to Ohio State and, with little time left, senior guard Ron Lewis took a pass from freshman guard Mike Conley Jr., squared up from 25 feet at the top of the key and buried a game-tying 25-foot trey. The Buckeyes pulled away in overtime, prevailing 78-71 with Conley accounting for 11 of the team’s 16 points.

Jim Matta had anticipated a battle from Xavier, where Thad had coached the Cincinnati-based university to three 26-win seasons and as many NCAA Tournament appearances prior to moving on to Ohio State in 2004. Three of Xavier’s starters – Cage and seniors Justin Doellman and Brandon Cole – were recruited by Matta. Cage and Doellman started as freshmen and Cole saw substantial playing time that season.

Adding to the emotion was that Musketeers’ coach Sean Miller was the No. 1 assistant during Matta’s three seasons at Xavier.

“It didn’t look good when we trailed by nine with a little less than three minutes remaining, especially the way Xavier was playing,’’ Jim Matta said. “You don’t want your son to lose, but I thought if it had to happen, I would prefer it be against Xavier. Thad and Sean and their families are very close, and the (Xavier) players Thad recruited are great kids.

“Ohio State did a great job of getting back into the game (with an 8-0 run), but there was no question we were in big trouble when Cage went to the line. He played an outstanding game (career high 25 points on 8-for-8 shooting from the field, including three 3-pointers, and 6-for-8 from the line). We got lucky when he missed his second attempt. Then it took the shot of Lewis’ life to tie the game.’’

Jim Matta felt comfortable from there.

“The Xavier kids were stunned and, looking at their body language, I felt confident we would win in overtime,’’ he said. “The Ohio State kids got a reprieve and they took advantage of it.’’

As for how Ellie was handling the pressure, Jim Matta said, with a smile, “She couldn’t watch. She remained in her seat at the end while everyone else was standing.’’

Next was a Round-of-16 encounter against Tennessee, which had taken the Buckeyes to the wire before losing 68-66 on Jan. 13 at Ohio State.

BACKS TO THE WALL IN TEXAS

Already having barely avoided elimination five days earlier, the Buckeyes again found themselves in trouble at the Alamodome, trailing the Vols by 20 late in the first half.

“I was concerned, sure, but not as much as I had been against Xavier,’’ Jim Matta said. “There was enough time left to get back into the game. It was important that we come out and assert ourselves in the first five minutes of the second half.’’

That the Buckeyes did, playing solid defense and relying on the scoring of Lewis and Conley to eventually tie the game at 64. It went back and forth from there before the game ended with 7-foot Buckeye freshman sensation Greg Oden blocking a close-range U.T. shot at the buzzer that, had it gone, would have resulted in a Vols’ victory.

“It takes talent along with a little luck to survive in a tournament like this,’’ said Jim Matta, who coached basketball and other sports for several years at Hoopeston (Ill.) High before retiring and making the move with Ellie to Sun City. “Oden made one heck of a play to block that last shot.’’

Luck was needed last Saturday during a relative easy 92-76 Buckeye win over Memphis in the South Regional championship game.

“That went a little easier than I thought,’’ Jim Matta said. “Memphis has an excellent ball club, but we did match up well against them.’’

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